Virus-like particles in the ovaries of Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Comparison of biotypes from Morocco and Europe

Barratt, B. I. P.; Murney, R.; Easingwood, Richard; Ward, Vernon K.

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2005.10.008

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Only M. aethiopoides Moroccan returned non-significant results for both comparisons (Supplementary Fig. 4 ) providing more evidence supporting that these contigs may be endogenous, with this strain previously demonstrated to have VLPs in their ovaries [ 30 , 31 ]. No analysis has been done on what these particles contain beyond an inability to extract DNA from them, so it is unknown whether they have a viral origin, though these identified viral genes in M. aethiopoides Moroccan are candidates for involvement in VLP production.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…By contrast, BUSCO genes were present on all contigs with RNA virus hits, indicating they are endogenous as expected. VLPs had previously been detected in the Moroccan M. aethiopoides , but not in the limited number of French or Irish samples collected [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) in the form of polydnaviruses (PDVs) or virus-like particles (VLPs) as well as exogenous viruses, often play a role in the parasitism processes of koinobiont endoparasitoids, particularly in host immune-suppression [ 25 – 29 ]. Barratt et al [ 30 , 31 ] detected the presence of viral particles in the ovarian epithelial cells of the sexual Moroccan strain of M. aethiopoides , with no viral particles found in other Microctonus strains or species . There has been no further investigation into the presence of EVEs or infectious viruses associated with the Microctonus wasps, and no investigation using genomic data.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chromosome-level genome assemblies of two parasitoid biocontrol wasps reveal the parthenogenesis mechanism and an associated novel virus

et al. 2023

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Background Biocontrol is a key technology for the control of pest species. Microctonus parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) have been released in Aotearoa New Zealand as biocontrol agents, targeting three different pest weevil species. Despite their value as biocontrol agents, no genome assemblies are currently available for these Microctonus wasps, limiting investigations into key biological differences between the different species and strains. Methods and findings Here we present high-quality genomes for Microctonus hyperodae and Microctonus aethiopoides, assembled with short read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding. These assemblies have total lengths of 106.7 Mb for M. hyperodae and 129.2 Mb for M. aethiopoides, with scaffold N50 values of 9 Mb and 23 Mb respectively. With these assemblies we investigated differences in reproductive mechanisms, and association with viruses between Microctonus wasps. Meiosis-specific genes are conserved in asexual Microctonus, with in-situ hybridisation validating expression of one of these genes in the ovaries of asexual Microctonus aethiopoides. This implies asexual reproduction in these Microctonus wasps involves meiosis, with the potential for sexual reproduction maintained. Investigation of viral gene content revealed candidate genes that may be involved in virus-like particle production in M. aethiopoides, as well as a novel virus infecting M. hyperodae, for which a complete genome was assembled. Conclusion and significance These are the first published genomes for Microctonus wasps which have been deployed as biocontrol agents, in Aotearoa New Zealand. These assemblies will be valuable resources for continued investigation and monitoring of these biocontrol systems. Understanding the biology underpinning Microctonus biocontrol is crucial if we are to maintain its efficacy, or in the case of M. hyperodae to understand what may have influenced the significant decline of biocontrol efficacy. The potential for sexual reproduction in asexual Microctonus is significant given that empirical modelling suggests this asexual reproduction is likely to have contributed to biocontrol decline. Furthermore the identification of a novel virus in M. hyperodae highlights a previously unknown aspect of this biocontrol system, which may contribute to premature mortality of the host pest. These findings have potential to be exploited in future in attempt to increase the effectiveness of M. hyperodae biocontrol.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chromosome-level genome assemblies of two parasitoid biocontrol wasps reveal the parthenogenesis mechanism and an associated novel virus

et al. 2023

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“…In general, viruses or virus-like particles (VLPs) in parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Apocrita), such as the well-known polydnaviruses [9,10,45], VLPs [46,47,48,49], and some other viruses such as reoviruses, facilitate their parasitism success [50]. For example, the iflavirus, named Dinocampus coccinellae paralysis virus (DcPV), can induce changes in the lady beetle ( Coleomegilla maculate ), such as tremors, gait disturbance, and limitations in movement during parasitism [51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The First Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Tetrastichus brontispae RNA Virus-1 (TbRV-1)

Meng

Tang

Sánchez‐García

et al. 2019

Viruses

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The complete sequence of a novel RNA virus isolated from Tetrastichus brontispae (TbRV-1) was determined to be 12,239 nucleotides in length with five non-overlapping, linearly arranged coding sequences (CDS), potentially encoding nucleoproteins, hypothetical proteins, matrix proteins, glycoproteins, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. Sequence analysis indicated that the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of TbRV-1 shares a 65% nucleotide and 67% amino acid sequence identity with Hubei dimarhabdovirus 2, suggesting that TbRV-1 is a member of the dimarhabdovirus supergroup. This corresponded to the result of the phylogenetic analysis. The affiliation of TbRV-1 with members of the family Rhabdoviridae was further validated by similar transcription termination motifs (GGAACUUUUUUU) to the Drosophila sigmavirus. The prevalence of TbRV-1 in all tissues suggested that the virus was constitutive of, and not specific to, any wasp tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the complete genome sequence of a dimarhabdovirus in parasitoids.

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“…These strategies encompass the generation of parasitic factors derived from the female reproductive system [4], or specialized embryonic cells, known as teratocytes [5]. The maternal factors, including venom, polydnaviruses (PDVs), virus-like filaments (VLFs), virus-like particles (VLPs), fibrous layers, and ovarian proteins (OP), perform a vital function for the survival of their offspring [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology and Ultrastructure of the Female Reproductive Apparatus of an Asexual Strain of the Endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

Chen

Wang

Shu

et al. 2023

Biology

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Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) is a solitary endoparasitoid of lepidopteran pests and a good candidate for the control of Spodoptera frugiperda. To elucidate the structure of the female reproductive apparatus, which may play a role in facilitating successful parasitism, we presented the description of the morphology and ultrastructure of the whole female reproductive system in a thelytokous strain of M. pulchricornis. Its reproductive system includes a pair of ovaries without specialized ovarian tissues, a branched venom gland, a venom reservoir, and a single Dufour gland. Each ovariole contains follicles and oocytes at different stages of maturation. A fibrous layer, possibly an egg surface protector, coats the surface of mature eggs. The venom gland consists of secretory units (including secretory cells and ducts) with abundant mitochondria, vesicles and end apparatuses in the cytoplasm, and a lumen. The venom reservoir is comprised of a muscular sheath, epidermal cells with few end apparatuses and mitochondria, and a large lumen. Furthermore, venosomes are produced by secretory cells and delivered into the lumen via the ducts. As a result, myriad venosomes are observed in the venom gland filaments and the venom reservoir, suggesting that they may function as a parasitic factor and have important roles in effective parasitism.

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Virus-like particles in the ovaries of Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): Comparison of biotypes from Morocco and Europe

Cited by 11 publications

References 32 publications

Chromosome-level genome assemblies of two parasitoid biocontrol wasps reveal the parthenogenesis mechanism and an associated novel virus

Chromosome-level genome assemblies of two parasitoid biocontrol wasps reveal the parthenogenesis mechanism and an associated novel virus

The First Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Tetrastichus brontispae RNA Virus-1 (TbRV-1)

Morphology and Ultrastructure of the Female Reproductive Apparatus of an Asexual Strain of the Endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

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